Long Island Sound Program

 

To (1) implement the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and (2) assist the states of Connecticut and New York and other public or nonprofit entities in implementation, research, planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education related to reducing pollution and improving the quality of the environment to sustain living resources in the Long Island Sound. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2019: EPA's funding priority was to award grants that support the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) National Estuary Program. Section 119(d) of the Clean Water Act, as amended by America?s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 Public Law No: 115-270, authorizes the Administrator to award grants to eligible entities to implement the LISS Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), with special emphasis on implementation, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The LISS management conference, with participants from state, interstate and regional environmental agencies, local governments and other public or nonprofit private agencies, research institutions and individuals, develops programs to protect and restore Long Island Sound. The LISS program characterizes the problems in the estuary, determines relationships between pollutant loading and impacts on living resources, maintains a comprehensive plan recommending solutions to priority problems, and implements actions addressing priority problem areas. Activities focused on theme areas identified in the plan as requiring special attention, such as: clean waters and healthy watersheds; thriving habitats and abundant wildlife; sustainable and resilient communities; and sound science and inclusive management. A detailed description of the projects funded is available at: http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2019/08/2019-work-plan/.

Active 66.437 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 EPA grantees for the Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant program and the Long Island Sound Scientific Research grant program hold competitions throughout the year based on available funds and Long Island Sound Study priorities. The number of applications and the number of awards made is dependent on the announcement issued. The announcement includes the number of anticipated awards. FY 16 data is not yet available. The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summer time area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was estimated at 138 square miles in 2016. This represents a 33.7 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was put in place by EPA and the states. This result exceeds the EPA Strategic Plan targets by 15%. The 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by more than 44,000,000 pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2016 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets, attaining 110% of the EPA Strategic Plan goal. In FY 16, partners restored or protected 532 acres of coastal habitat compared to the target of 96 acres in the Strategic Plan. The partners reopened 50 river miles to fish passage compared to the target of 70 miles in the Strategic Plan.
Fiscal Year 2017 Continued Acute Hypoxia Standard Reductions: The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summertime area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was estimated at 95 square miles in 2017. This represents a 54 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average of 205 square miles (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load was put in place by EPA and the states). The area of hypoxia in 2017 was 70 square miles. The hypoxia areas in 2015 and 2017 are the second and third smallest recorded in the past 31 years of monitoring. The severity of hypoxia has also declined, with no area in the open waters below 1 mg/l dissolved oxygen in seven of the past eight years. Continued Point Source Nitrogen Reduction: The 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by 45 million pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2017 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets. In 2017, progress continued, with 3,600 fewer pounds of nitrogen discharged every day compared to 2016. Habitat Restoration/Protection: Partners restored or protected 532 acres of coastal habitat in 2016 compared to the target of 96 acres in the Strategic Plan. The partners reopened 50 river miles to fish passage.
Fiscal Year 2018 Continued Hypoxia Reductions: The 5-year rolling average for the maximum summertime area of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) in Long Island Sound was 89 square miles in 2018. This represents a 57 percent decline in the five-year rolling average compared to the pre-2000 average of 205 square miles (i.e., before the Total Maximum Daily Load was put in place by EPA and the states). The maximum area of hypoxia in 2018 was 52 square miles. The hypoxia areas in 2015, 2018, and 2017 are the second, third and fourth smallest recorded in the past 32 years of monitoring. Continued Point Source Nitrogen Reductions: By the end of calendar year 2017, the 106 New York and Connecticut wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging to Long Island Sound have reduced nitrogen by 45 million pounds annually compared to baseline levels established in the 2000 TMDL. In 2017 reported discharges were below the final TMDL targets. In 2017, wastewater discharged 3,600 fewer pounds of nitrogen every day compared to 2016. 2018 Habitat Restoration and Protection: Long Island Sound Study partners completed 12 restoration projects for a total of 55.4 acres. The program has now achieved its goal to restore 350 acres of habitat by 2020 from the 2014 baseline, and has achieved 35.5 percent of the goal to restore 1000 acres of coastal habitat by 2035 from the 2014 baseline. The partners also completed nine fish passage projects by removing dams or building fishways that reopened 38.6 river miles for fish access. The program has now achieved 54.6 percent of the goal to reopen 200 river miles to fish passage by 2035 from the 2014 baseline. Study partners protected 487.4 acres of open space through acquisitions or easements at 15 sites. The program has now achieved 41.3 percent of the goal to protect 7,000 acres of land by 2035 from the 2014 baseline. Clean Water Act, Section 119(d)
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, Public Law 115-270 State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies, and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible. Private profit-making entities, and individuals, are not eligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Assistance under this program generally benefits state, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations. The general public and Long Island Sound user groups such as swimmers, beach goers, sport and commercial fishermen, boaters, and shellfishes, benefit from the results of the program through cleaner water, restored and protected habitat, and preserved and enhanced ecosystems. Nonprofit private agencies, institutions and organizations may be required to provide documentation of their organizational status upon application. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The EPA Long Island Sound Office (LISO) issues annual guidance on the form and content of pre-proposals. All pre-proposals or work statements should be consistent with LISO's guidance. Consultation or technical assistance may be available upon request from the LISO to aid applicants in preparing their pre-proposal. Additionally, regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The EPA LISO annually releases a request for base program pre-proposals in the Fall. Pre-proposals are due to the LISO generally by early January or as specified in guidance. The LISS management committee reviews pre-proposals in late January to identify areas of concern and to request additional information or clarification on proposals through the LISO. The LISO coordinates review of pre-proposals among the several LISS technical work groups and teams to ensure consistency with program goals and objectives as outlined in the CCMP and other priorities as directed by the management committee. If necessary, applicants are contacted by the LISO to provide the additional information or clarification. The LISO coordinates review of the revised proposals and develops funding recommendations for the management committee's consideration in April. The management committee makes final recommendations on funding pre-proposals at that time, or as otherwise specified. Applicants are advised of the status of their request by the LISO within 30 days of the management committee's final decisions. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov. Additional information on applying for EPA grants can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants . Each federal assistance application and final work plan will be evaluated by the LISO to determine the adequacy of the application under LISS priorities and objectives, including technical merit and relevance of the project to the implementation of the CCMP and for consistency with the pre-application proposal. Each federal assistance award application will also be subject to an administrative review by the EPA Region 1 or 2 grants management office. Funds are awarded by the EPA Region 1 or 2 Administrator as appropriate. Grantees will receive a final assistance award package from the appropriate EPA Regional grants management office. An assistance agreement recipient demonstrates its commitment to carry out the award by either: 1) drawing down funds within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date; or, 2) not filing a notice of disagreement with the award terms and conditions within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. Recipients are not required to sign and return a copy of the award document. Payments under awards may be made on an advance or reimbursement basis. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/ regulations for competing assistance agreements. Specific information regarding deadlines is provided in the competitive announcement. Notification of action on pre-proposals is provided approximately 120 days after the deadline for pre-proposal submission. Final grantees are notified of approval approximately 90 days after the submission of the application for federal assistance. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Extensions are subject to approval of EPA. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing description will be described in the competitive announcement. Funds may be used to implement elements of the LISS CCMP. Special emphasis shall be given to CCMP implementation projects, research and planning, enforcement, and citizen involvement and education projects. The Administrator may give priority to a distressed community as defined in 33 USC 1269(e)(1). Assistance listing 66.456 also authorizes funding to assist in the implementation of the LISS CCMP. As a result an assistance agreement under assistance listing 66.437 to support implementation of the LISS CCMP can also use funds under assistance listing 66.456. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial. Performance Reports: Performance monitoring is required under this program. Reporting requirements shall be determined at the time of grant award. Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained for three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. This program has no statutory formula (33 USC 1269(d)(3)). Federal costs for citizen involvement and education grants shall not exceed 95 percent of the costs of such work; for all other grants and cooperative agreements, federal costs shall not exceed 60 percent of the research, studies, or work. EPA has determined that annual matching requirements for LISS grant awards shall be met in the aggregate for all funds awarded as specified in the approved annual work plan.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance agreements are generally made for a one-year period corresponding to the federal fiscal year, October-September. Awards may be made for longer periods upon justification and with the approval of EPA. Awards may be made by advance or reimbursement at the discretion of EPA. The method of fund disbursement will be determined at the time of award. None/Not specified. Mark Tedesco
USEPA Long Island Sound Office, Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Suite 9-11
Stamford, CT 06904 US
tedesco.mark@epa.gov
Phone: 203-977-1542

Nicole Tachiki
USEPA Long Island Sound Office, Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Suite 9-11
Stamford, CT 06904 USA
tachiki.nicole@epa.gov
Phone: 203-977-1545 http://longislandsoundstudy.net/ 68-0108-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 18$12,000,000.00; FY 19 est $14,600,000.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$8,000,000.00; FY 16$3,893,000.00; - Range: $20,000 to $2,000,000/fiscal year; Average: $438,611/fiscal year LISS grants and cooperative agreements are subject to grant regulations at 40 CFR Part 35, 2 CFR 200 and 1500; annual EPA Office of Water National Estuaries Program guidance; and the LISS CCMP. Fiscal Year 2016 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; (5) Modeling: develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked airshed-watershed-estuarine hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to support the LISS for understanding the nutrient and sediment affects in the Long Island Sound estuary system and (6) Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) Hypoxia: sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) Habitat Restoration: restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) Water Quality Monitoring: collect water quality samples at monitoring stations in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) Communication/Outreach: Provide communication, outreach and education components of the LISS partnership; Research: investigate causes and effects of eutrophication on water quality and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss. and living marine resources; study factors affecting abundance and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation, food web dynamics, and tidal wetland loss.
Fiscal Year 2018 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) monitor water quality in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) conduct communication outreach and education on Long Island Sound issues and programs; (5) develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to improve nutrient management; and (6) research that will produce and integrate information to enhance our understanding of Long Island Sound and improve management of water quality and living resources. http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2018/08/2018-work-plan/.
Fiscal Year 2019 Grants and cooperative agreements awarded to states and local governments, colleges, universities, interstate agencies and nonprofit organizations are for nonpoint source implementation, scientific research, water quality monitoring and modeling, public education and outreach, living resources management, habitat restoration and program support. Examples are listed as follows: (1) sustain and accelerate efforts to meet the LISS nutrient reduction goals in the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load to attain water quality conditions necessary to support the living resources of the Sound; (2) restore and protect living resources, their habitats and ecological relationships; (3) monitor water quality in Long Island Sound and interpret data on Long Island Sound and embayments. (4) conduct communication outreach and education on Long Island Sound issues and programs; (5) develop, calibrate, and manage the application of linked hydrodynamic-water quality-living resources models to improve nutrient management; and (6) research that will produce and integrate information to enhance our understanding of Long Island Sound and improve management of water quality and living resources. http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2019/??/2019-work-plan/.